Egg-crate.



Patented Nov. 20, I900.

2' sheets-shew G. E. PALMER G. J. N. LAKE.

EGG CRATE.

(Application filed Jan. 4. 1900.

(Nb Model!) l/VVE Z6 ATTORNEYS.

T/VESS S 06/2 tTE Fries.

GEORGE E. PALMER AND JUDSON N. LAKE, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK.-

EGG-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,018, dated November 20, 1900.

Application filed January 4,1900. Serial No. 309. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE E. PALMER and JUDSON N. LAKE, of Elmira, in the county of Ohemung, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in egg-Crates, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in egg-crates.

Our object is to construct a collapsible eg crate in which an egg-supporting device is adapted to rest, the egg-supporting device being so arranged and constructed that it may be compressed so as to occupy only about as much space as the pasteboard of which it is composed would occupy by laying one piece upon the other and the egg-crate so arranged that it can be folded together so as to occupy a minimum amount of space and contain the egg-supporting devices, if desired; and to that end ourinvention consists in the several new and novel features of construction and operation which are hereinafter described, and specifically set forth in the claims hereunto annexed.

It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings,in which Figure l is a side view of the crate complete in its extended form. thereof. Fig. 3 is a section on line :n at, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view of the crate in its folded or collapsed form. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the center. Fig. 6 is a crosssection on line y y, Fig. 4.

A is the crate, which comprises a tray 60, having nail-holes a. This tray consists of a bottom 6 and narrow side pieces b, which tray forms the base of the crate. of the crate is a bracket 0, having a perforation 0' in its laterally-extending arm, as shown in Fig. 5, and an inwardly-extending pin 0. The tray is also provided upon its front face with an inwardly-extending headed pin d, and upon the front and rear face of the tray are small swinging metallic arms 01.

6 represents the side pieces of the crate and are provided at their ends, upon their lower edges, with metallic straps e, secured thereto so as to form a receptacle to receive the body of the nail or screw 6 and rotate thereon and Fig. 2 is an end View.

Upon each end form a cheap construction of hinge. The end pieoesfare similarly constructed, and both the side pieces and the end pieces are hinged within the tray by passing the nail e through the nail-hole a and allowing it to enter into the recess formed by the strap of tin e, so that the sides and end pieces may be folded down into the tray, as shown in cross-section in Figs. 5 and b.

At a point near the upper edge of the side pieces 6 are small swinging metallic armsf, and g are openings in the end pieces, adapted to engage with the lug or pin 0" when the end pieces are in a vertical position, and the front piece of the tray-at its lower edge is provided with an opening to engage with the pin (1 when in its vertical position.

The sides e are each provided with a vertical groove to receive the center piece h to divide the crate into compartments.

B is the cover, provided upon each side with hasps l, which are adapted to close down over the swinging arms f, and when the arms are turned part way around, as shownin Fig. 1, the cover is secured upon the crate. When the sides and end pieces of the crate are folded inward, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the hasp engages with the swinging arms at, and m represents brackets secured upon the end of the coverand adapted to engage with the opening 0 in the bracket 0, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

It will thus be observed that we have a crate which may be extended and in which eggs or other articles may be shipped and then the crate folded together and returned. in a minimum amount of space.

When the crate is folded, the locking-arm f on the upper side piece will lie between the edges of the end pieces, while the locking-arm on the lower side piece Will enter an opening f" in the upper side piece, thus permitting the said pieces to lie close together.

Having described our invention, what We claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a crate, the combination of the tray, side and end pieces hinged therein, brackets secured to the ends of the tray having pins adapted to engage the end pieces and provided with vertical openings and a cover adapted to be locked on the tray and provided the openings in the bracket upon the base, hasps-secnred to said cover and adapted to engage with the swinging arms upon the side pieces when extended, and the swinging arms upon the base when the sides and end pieces are folded.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set 20 our hands this 4th day of December, 18549, GEORGE E. PALMER. JUDSON N. LAKE.

the end of said tray being provided with a bracket having a vertical opening, a cover provided with a bracket having downwardlyextending pins and adapted to engage with Witnesses:

L. D. SHOEMAKER, H. P. PRENTISS. 

